Li Yameng, Li Cuihan, Wen Jiansheng, Cui Meize, Wei Qiuyang, Liu Mingyu, Chen Zaihao, Fang Hui, Liu Linli, Fu Jiahao, Zhang Jianwei, Lyu Shaojun
Department of Physical Education, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China; College of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
College of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
Complement Ther Med. 2025 Sep;92:103201. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103201. Epub 2025 Jun 18.
Tai Chi (TC), a mind-body aerobic exercise, has emerged as a potential alternative therapeutic modality for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Endothelial function is an important prognostic indicator in CAD. However, the effects of TC on endothelial function in CAD patients compared to aerobic exercise (AE) remain understudied.
A parallel-group, assessor-blinded, randomized clinical trial (RCT).
Wanjie Rehabilitation Hospital and Anzhen Community Health Service Centre.
The present study enrolled 48 patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD), of whom 37 completed the 12-week intervention, 17 in the Tai Chi (TC) group and 20 in the aerobic exercise (AE) group.
Both groups received supervised training three times a week at 40-60 % heart rate reserve (HRR), an intensity corresponding to the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VO₂AT). Each 60-75-minute session consisted of four phases: 10-15 min of warm-up, 20-30 min of moderate-intensity Tai Chi's Bafa Wubu (Eight Methods and Five Steps) or structured aerobic exercise (AE), 10-15 min of moderate-intensity Tai Chi elastic band exercises or resistance training, and 10-15 min of cool-down.
The primary outcome was endothelial function, assessed by biomarkers including nitric oxide (NO), endothelin (ET), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Secondary outcomes included lipid profiles measured by high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
Baseline characteristics were not significantly different between groups (P > 0.05). After 12 weeks, both TC and AE groups showed significant improvements in endothelial function: NO levels increased, while ET, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 decreased (P < 0.05). HDL levels increased only in the AE group (P < 0.05). TC, TG, and LDL remained unchanged in both groups (P > 0.05).
Tai Chi, as a mind-body exercise, may improve endothelial function in patients with CAD, even when serum lipid levels remain unchanged, providing benefits comparable to those of aerobic exercise (AE) despite different effects on high-density lipoprotein (HDL). This trial has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (registration number: NCT03936504).
太极拳（TC）是一种身心有氧运动，已成为冠状动脉疾病（CAD）患者潜在的替代治疗方式。内皮功能是CAD的重要预后指标。然而，与有氧运动（AE）相比，TC对CAD患者内皮功能的影响仍研究不足。
一项平行组、评估者盲法、随机临床试验（RCT）。
万杰康复医院和安贞社区卫生服务中心。
本研究纳入了48例诊断为冠状动脉疾病（CAD）的患者，其中37例完成了为期12周的干预，太极拳（TC）组17例，有氧运动（AE）组20例。
两组均接受每周三次的监督训练，心率储备（HRR）为40%-60%，该强度对应通气无氧阈（VO₂AT）。每次60-75分钟的训练包括四个阶段：10-15分钟的热身，20-30分钟的中等强度太极拳八法五步或结构化有氧运动（AE），10-15分钟的中等强度太极拳弹力带练习或阻力训练，以及10-15分钟的放松。
主要观察指标是内皮功能，通过生物标志物进行评估，包括一氧化氮（NO）、内皮素（ET）、血管细胞粘附分子-1（VCAM-1）和细胞间粘附分子-1（ICAM-1）。次要观察指标包括通过高密度脂蛋白（HDL）、总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）和低密度脂蛋白（LDL）测量的血脂谱。
两组间基线特征无显著差异（P>0.05）。12周后，TC组和AE组的内皮功能均有显著改善：NO水平升高，而ET、VCAM-1和ICAM-1降低（P<0.05）。HDL水平仅在AE组升高（P<0.05）。两组的TC、TG和LDL均保持不变（P>0.05）。
太极拳作为一种身心运动，即使血清脂质水平保持不变，也可能改善CAD患者的内皮功能，尽管对高密度脂蛋白（HDL）的影响不同，但提供了与有氧运动（AE）相当的益处。本试验已在ClinicalTrials.gov上注册（注册号：NCT03936504）。
